From the archive: Papal conclaves of years past

The Vatican has held 110 papal conclaves, here's a look at those from the past century

March 11, 2013 1:41 PM

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1939. A few hours after the death of Pope PIUS XI, the marshal of the Conclave (the college of the cardinals which had elected the pope) signs the Pope's death certificate.

1939. A few hours after the death of Pope PIUS XI, the marshal of the Conclave (the college of the cardinals which had elected the pope) signs the Pope's death certificate.

Photo: Keystone-France, Gamma-Keystone Via Getty Images

1939. A few hours after the death of Pope PIUS XI, the marshal of... Photo-4310458.58214 - Times Union

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1939: Two papal guards are watching over the Vatican stove. The role of the stove is essential in every election: in case of a non-unanimous vote, the ballots are burned in this stove with dampened straw which produces black smoke. This informs the people of Rome that the pope has not yet been elected. In case of a unanimous vote, the ballots are burned without the straw and the people see white smoke coming from the Vatican and so learn that the new pope has been elected unanimously. less

1939: Two papal guards are watching over the Vatican stove. The role of the stove is essential in every election: in case of a non-unanimous vote, the ballots are burned in this stove with dampened straw which ... more

Photo: Keystone-France, Gamma-Keystone Via Getty Images

1939: Two papal guards are watching over the Vatican stove. The... Photo-4310454.58214 - Times Union

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1939: In February-March 1939, employees of the Vatican affixing seals to the Vatican door where the conclave of cardinals is being held to choose a successor to Pope Pius XI.

1939: In February-March 1939, employees of the Vatican affixing seals to the Vatican door where the conclave of cardinals is being held to choose a successor to Pope Pius XI.

Photo: Keystone-France, Gamma-Keystone Via Getty Images

1939: In February-March 1939, employees of the Vatican affixing... Photo-4310445.58214 - Times Union

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1939: A room of the Borgia in the Vatican Palace is being prepared as a cell for a cardinal who will participate in the vote to elect the successor to Pope Pius XI during the conclave.

1939: A room of the Borgia in the Vatican Palace is being prepared as a cell for a cardinal who will participate in the vote to elect the successor to Pope Pius XI during the conclave.

Photo: Keystone-France, Gamma-Keystone Via Getty Images

1939: A room of the Borgia in the Vatican Palace is being prepared... Photo-4310451.58214 - Times Union

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1939: The role of the stove is essential in every election: in case of a non-unanimous vote, the ballots are burned in this stove with dampened straw which produces black smoke. This informs the people of Rome that the pope has not yet been elected. In case of a unanimous vote, the ballots are burned without the straw and the people see white smoke coming from the Vatican and so learn that the new pope has been elected unanimously. less

1939: The role of the stove is essential in every election: in case of a non-unanimous vote, the ballots are burned in this stove with dampened straw which produces black smoke. This informs the people of Rome ... more

Photo: Keystone-France, Gamma-Keystone Via Getty Images

1939: The role of the stove is essential in every election: in case... Photo-4310455.58214 - Times Union

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1939: A voting ballot used in by the cardinals gathered in conclave for the election of the pope to succeed Pope Pius XI.

1939: A voting ballot used in by the cardinals gathered in conclave for the election of the pope to succeed Pope Pius XI.

Photo: Keystone-France, Gamma-Keystone Via Getty Images

1939: A voting ballot used in by the cardinals gathered in conclave... Photo-4310456.58214 - Times Union

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1939. Vatican employees closing the great door of the Sistine Chapel. It is being closed upon the conclave of cardinals gathered together to elect a successor to Pope Pius XI.

1939. Vatican employees closing the great door of the Sistine Chapel. It is being closed upon the conclave of cardinals gathered together to elect a successor to Pope Pius XI.

Photo: Keystone-France, Gamma-Keystone Via Getty Images

1939. Vatican employees closing the great door of the Sistine... Photo-4310460.58214 - Times Union

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1958: A guard of the Saintly Father at the Vatican, with his famous Renaissance outfit and his sword.

1958: A guard of the Saintly Father at the Vatican, with his famous Renaissance outfit and his sword.

Photo: Keystone-France, Gamma-Keystone Via Getty Images

1958: A guard of the Saintly Father at the Vatican, with his famous... Photo-4310462.58214 - Times Union

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1958: Members of the public outside St Peter's in Vatican City, Rome waiting for the signal that a new Pope has been elected, 29th. Cardinal Roncalli, the Patriarch of Venice was later elected and chose the name Pope John XII. less

1958: Members of the public outside St Peter's in Vatican City, Rome waiting for the signal that a new Pope has been elected, 29th. Cardinal Roncalli, the Patriarch of Venice was later elected and chose the ... more

Photo: Keystone, Getty Images

1958: Members of the public outside St Peter's in Vatican... Photo-4310431.58214 - Times Union

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1958: Before the election of Pope John XXIII, Italians make up a table of forecasts concerning the future pope based on the list in the paper of cardinals in the Sacred College: this game is called TOTOPAPA.

1958: Before the election of Pope John XXIII, Italians make up a table of forecasts concerning the future pope based on the list in the paper of cardinals in the Sacred College: this game is called TOTOPAPA.

Photo: Keystone-France, Gamma-Keystone Via Getty Images

1958: Before the election of Pope John XXIII, Italians make up a... Photo-4310448.58214 - Times Union

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1978: Cardinal Laurian Rugambwa, left talking with Cardinal Michael Browne, right during the Conclave of Cardinals to elect new Pope.

1978: Cardinal Laurian Rugambwa, left talking with Cardinal Michael Browne, right during the Conclave of Cardinals to elect new Pope.

1978: Items used in the election of popes, kept in the Sistine Chapel of St Peter's in Rome. Items include a golden chalice in which votes for the new Pope are placed, and an urn from which white smoke for agreement or black smoke for an adjournment will be seen by the public outside St Peter's. less

1978: Items used in the election of popes, kept in the Sistine Chapel of St Peter's in Rome. Items include a golden chalice in which votes for the new Pope are placed, and an urn from which white smoke for ... more

Photo: Keystone, Getty Images

1978: Items used in the election of popes, kept in the Sistine... Photo-4310436.58214 - Times Union

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1978: The cardinals meeting in conclave will put their ballots into this chalice of gold during the election of the pope who will succeed PAUL VI. The cardinal Albino Luciani will be elected and will take the name John Paul I. He will only reign 33 days. less

1978: The cardinals meeting in conclave will put their ballots into this chalice of gold during the election of the pope who will succeed PAUL VI. The cardinal Albino Luciani will be elected and will take the ... more

Photo: Keystone-France, Gamma-Keystone Via Getty Images

1978: The cardinals meeting in conclave will put their ballots into... Photo-4310450.58214 - Times Union